Michiel De Malsche - Blocks (2025)

‘Blocks’ is the latest full-length album by multidisciplinary composer Michiel De Malsche, released on One Instrument.

Driven by a passion for original acoustic instruments, creative sound design, and old-school orchestration, the artist has crafted 11 tracks for 11 different solo instruments by collaborating with top-tier musicians who share an interest in pushing the boundaries of their instruments.

Always respectful of their original character, De Malsche and his collaborators aim to take the instruments out of their usual context or experiment with their specific characteristics, seeking a contemporary, authentic, and cohesive interpretation of the sound spectrum.

For example, Manu De Ferrere’s daxophone emulates the human voice, while Hannes D’Hoine’s Buchla System unleashes the fury of Hades. Berlinde Deman’s serpent offers a hypnotic blend of deep brass tones and airy melodic minimalism. An abandoned church organ in De Malsche’s hometown acts as a guardian of the past, juxtaposed with a prepared piano delicately dissected and played by Pak Yan Lau, alongside a Portasound PC-100 played by the composer.

Add to this an abstract interpretation of the balafon, the elegance of the viola da gamba, Peter Geysels’ captivating kaval performance, and other sonic delicacies.